MECH 215 Instruments and

Measurement
Week 11, Lecture 1
Flow Measurement

March 25, 2008 Page 1

 Flow Measurement

Volume flow rate volume per unit time

Mass flow rate mass per unit time
Design/application considerations size,
accuracy, cost, pressure drop, pressure losses,
and compatibility with fluid.

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 Flow Measurement

U = velocity
n = outward direction (normal to control
surface)

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 Flow Measurement

For steady flow, m& in = m& out

m& = mass flow rate through an area, A

m& = A
UdA

m& = U A

U = average mass flow across the control

surface

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 Flow Measurement

For constant density flows,

Q in = Q out

Q = volume flow rate

Q= UdA
A

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 Flow Measurement

For a pipe of circular cross section,

2
U (r , )rdrd
r1
Q=
0
0

r1 = pipe radius

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 Flow Measurement

If the average velocity is known,

1
U =
A UdA
A

Then,
Q =UA

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 Flow Measurement

Therefore, to estimate the steady mass flow rate

we need techniques that will be sensitive to the
average mass flux, U

m& = U A

To estimate the steady volume flow rate we need

techniques that are sensitive to the average
velocity, U
Q =UA

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 Flow Measurement
Flow in a pipe (or duct of other shape) can be
characterized as being laminar, turbulent or in
transition between these two by using the
Reynolds number.

U d1 4Q
Re = =
v d 1v
v = fluid kinematic viscosity
d 1 = diameter (for circular pipes)
Laminar flow occurs when Re < 2000
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 Flow Measurement

Volume Flow Rates via Velocity Measurement

Measure velocity at many points across a duct
(flow control surface), then average then.
Mostly used for calibration.

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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement
Pressure Differential Meters
Based on the relationship between volume flow
rate and pressure drop ( p = p1 p 2 ) along a
flow path due to local flow energy losses.

Q ( p1 p 2 )
n

n = 1 (for laminar flow)

n = 0 . 5 (for fully developed turbulent flow)
1
Note: The Bernoulli effect: local velocity
pressure
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 Flow Measurement
Obstruction Meters

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 Flow Measurement

If there exists,
1) No external energy (heat) added to the flow
2) No shaft work done within the control volume
3) Steady flow
4) One-dimensional flow
Then,

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 Flow Measurement

2 2
p1 U p2 U
+ =
1
+ + h L1 2
2
2g 2g

p1 , p 2 = pressure at control surfaces 1 and 2

= specific weight of fluid
g = acceleration due to gravity
U = average fluid velocity
h L1 2 = head loss due to frictional effects
between control surfaces 1 and 2
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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement

For incompressible flows,

A2
U1 = U 2
A1
Therefore the volume flow rate is,

1 2 ( p1 p 2 )
Q = U 2 A2 = + 2 gh L1 2
1 ( A2 / A1 )
2

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 Flow Measurement

Note: Due to vena contracta streamlines (due to

sudden changes in flow direction and inertia
effects), A2 is unknown.

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 Flow Measurement

We must therefore use a contraction coefficient, Cc

C c = A2 / A0
A0 = constant based on meter throat diameter.
Now Q becomes,
C c A0 2 ( p1 p 2 )
Q= + 2 gh L1 2
1 (C c A0 / A1 )
2

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 Flow Measurement

or, C f C c A0 2 ( p1 p 2 )
Q=
1 (C c A0 / A1 )
2

Cf = frictional head loss coefficient.

Cf and Cc can be combined into C known as the
discharge coefficient.
C = Q actual / Q ideal
Qactual = actual flow rate through a meter.
Qideal = ideal flow rate possible for a given pressure drop.

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 Flow Measurement

Now,
2p 2p
Q = CEA 0 = K 0 A0

E = velocity approach factor.

K0 = CE = flow coefficient.

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 Flow Measurement

1 1
E= =
1 ( A0 / A1 ) 1 4
2

d0
=
d1

C and K0 are tabulated based on Reynolds number, and

for a given obstruction flow meter.

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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement
Venturi Meters

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 Flow Measurement
Flow Nozzle

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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement
Obstruction Meter Selection

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 Flow Measurement

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 Flow Measurement

Unrecoverable overall pressure losses associated

with a flow meter, ploss, depend on and flow rate.
These losses must be overcome by the pump.
The power required, W&, in a system with flow rate Q,
is,
& p loss
W =Q

= pump efficiency

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 Flow Measurement

Read text sections 10.6 and 10.7

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 Next Time

Review followed by Final Exam

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